'Bring , in this timeless grave to throw' by Alfred Edward Housman
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BRING, in this timeless grave to throw
No cypress, sombre on the snow;
Snap not from the bitter yew
His leaves that live December through;
Break no rosemary, bright with rime
And sparkling to the cruel crime;
Nor plod the winter land to look
For willows in the icy brook
To cast them leafless round him: bring
To spray that ever buds in spring.
But if the Christmas field has kept
Awns the last gleaner overstept,
Or shrivelled flax, whose flower is blue
A single season, never two;
Or if one haulm whose year is o’er
Shivers on the upland frore,
—Oh, bring from hill and stream and plain
Whatever will not flower again,
To give him comfort: he and those
Shall bide eternal bedfellows
Where low upon the couch he lies
Whence he never shall arise.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Bring, in this timeless grave to throw": A Deep Dive into Housman's Classic Poetry
Alfred Edward Housman, a renowned British poet and classical scholar, is best known for his collection of poems, "A Shropshire Lad." However, one of his lesser-known but equally impressive pieces is "Bring, in this timeless grave to throw." This poem, published in 1922, is a powerful commentary on the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the value of memories. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, exploring the themes, symbols, and language that make it such a poignant and moving piece of literature.
Overview of the Poem
"Bring, in this timeless grave to throw" is a short but powerful poem that consists of four stanzas of four lines each. The poem's speaker addresses an unnamed person and gives them instructions on what to do with his remains after he dies. The speaker's request is simple: he wants his body to be buried in a particular spot, under a tree where he used to play as a child. The poem's title is taken from the first line and is a reference to the speaker's desire to be buried in a timeless, eternal place.
Themes
One of the central themes of "Bring, in this timeless grave to throw" is the inevitability of death. The speaker acknowledges that death is something that cannot be avoided, and he accepts it without fear or hesitation. Instead, he focuses on what he wants to happen after he dies, showing that he has come to terms with his mortality and is thinking pragmatically about his own death.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the importance of memories. The speaker's desire to be buried under the tree where he played as a child shows that he values his memories and wants to be close to them even after he's gone. Memories are a way of keeping the past alive, and the speaker's request underscores the idea that memories are an important part of human experience.
The poem also touches on the idea that death is a way of returning to nature. The speaker's request to be buried under a tree is a reminder that our bodies are made up of the same elements found in nature, and that death is a natural part of the cycle of life. This idea is reinforced by the poem's language, which is full of natural imagery and references to the natural world.
Symbols
One of the most striking symbols in "Bring, in this timeless grave to throw" is the tree. The speaker's desire to be buried under a tree is symbolic of his connection to nature and his desire to return to it after death. Trees are also symbolic of growth and change, and the fact that the speaker wants to be buried under a tree where he used to play as a child suggests that he sees death as a way of returning to a simpler, more innocent time in his life.
The title of the poem, "Bring, in this timeless grave to throw," is also symbolic. The use of the word "timeless" suggests that the speaker wants to be buried in a place that is eternal and unchanging, while the word "throw" suggests that he is ready to let go of his physical form and return to nature.
Language
Housman's language in "Bring, in this timeless grave to throw" is simple but evocative. The poem's short, four-line stanzas and use of repetition create a sense of rhythm and momentum that carries the reader through the poem. Housman's use of natural imagery, such as "the woodland that I loved," "the green leaves whispering overhead," and "the grass where I will lie," creates a vivid picture of the speaker's desired resting place.
The language in the poem is also full of contrasts. The speaker's request to be buried in a timeless, eternal place is contrasted with the fragility and impermanence of human life. The image of the speaker's body "crumbling into dust" is a reminder that even in death, we are still subject to the laws of nature.
Interpretation
"Bring, in this timeless grave to throw" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universality of human experience. The poem's central themes of mortality, memory, and nature are all things that we can relate to on a deep level. Housman's use of symbolism and language creates a vivid picture of the speaker's desired resting place, while also underscoring the fragility and impermanence of human life.
At its core, "Bring, in this timeless grave to throw" is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish the moments we have while we are alive. It is a call to live in the present and to value the memories we make along the way. The poem's final lines, "And there the rain may fall and the sunshine glow / And the seasons come and go," are a reminder that life will go on even after we are gone, and that the memories we leave behind will endure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Bring, in this timeless grave to throw" is a classic piece of poetry that speaks to the universality of human experience. Housman's use of symbolism and language creates a powerful and moving portrait of the speaker's desire to be buried in a timeless, eternal place. The poem's themes of mortality, memory, and nature are all things that we can relate to on a deep level, and the poem's final lines are a reminder that life will go on even after we are gone. "Bring, in this timeless grave to throw" is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
In the world of poetry, few names are as revered as Alfred Edward Housman. His works have stood the test of time and continue to inspire generations of poets and readers alike. One of his most famous poems, "In this timeless grave to throw," is a masterpiece of lyrical beauty and emotional depth. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand why it is considered a classic of English literature.
The poem begins with a stark image of death: "In this timeless grave to throw / No pebble, nor a flower." The speaker is addressing someone who has died, and they are lamenting the fact that they cannot even offer a small token of remembrance. The use of the word "timeless" is significant here, as it suggests that death is a universal and eternal experience. The speaker is acknowledging that death is a part of life, but they are also expressing their grief at the loss of someone they cared about.
The second stanza continues in this vein, with the speaker describing the desolate landscape around the grave: "Not a rosebud, nor a spray / To deck the coffin lid." The absence of flowers and other decorations is a stark reminder of the finality of death. The speaker is emphasizing the fact that there is nothing they can do to change the situation. They are powerless in the face of death, and all they can do is mourn.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem: the idea of memory. The speaker says, "Say not the struggle nought availeth, / The labour and the wounds are vain." This is a reference to a line from Arthur Hugh Clough's poem "Say not the Struggle Nought Availeth," which encourages perseverance in the face of adversity. The speaker is using this line to suggest that even though the person they are mourning is gone, their memory lives on. The struggles and hardships they faced in life were not in vain, because they left a lasting impact on those who knew them.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of death, with the speaker saying, "Nor borne upon the funeral day / The scroll of fame." This is a reference to the idea of a person's legacy, and how they will be remembered after they are gone. The speaker is acknowledging that the person they are mourning may not have achieved great fame or success in life, but that does not diminish their worth. They are still deserving of respect and remembrance, even if they did not achieve great things.
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image of the speaker's grief: "But he that laid the oak tree low / And strung the master's lyre, / And taught the orphan boy to know / The finger's cunning fire." The oak tree and the master's lyre are symbols of strength and beauty, while the orphan boy represents vulnerability and innocence. The speaker is saying that even though the person they are mourning may have been strong and accomplished, they were also capable of kindness and compassion. The loss of such a person is a great tragedy, and the speaker's grief is palpable in these final lines.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. Each stanza consists of four lines, with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB). This gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence, while also allowing for variations in tone and imagery. The use of enjambment (where a line of poetry continues onto the next line without a pause) also adds to the poem's flow and rhythm.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with a mix of concrete and abstract imagery. The use of specific details (such as the oak tree and the orphan boy) helps to ground the poem in reality, while the more abstract concepts (such as memory and legacy) give it a sense of universality. The poem also employs a range of literary devices, including alliteration (such as "scroll of fame" and "finger's cunning fire") and repetition (such as "nor a rosebud, nor a spray").
Overall, "In this timeless grave to throw" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the complex emotions of grief and loss. Through its use of vivid imagery and lyrical language, it speaks to the universal experience of death and the enduring power of memory. It is a testament to Housman's skill as a poet, and a reminder of why his works continue to resonate with readers today.
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